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Yankees sign catcher Brian McCann to five-year contract

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Press Release |

The New York Yankees today announced they have signed catcher Brian McCann to a five-year contract extending through the 2018 season with a vesting option for 2019.

McCann, 29, owns a .277 (1,070-for-3,863) career batting average with 464 runs, 227 doubles, 176 home runs and 661RBI in 1,105 games over nine Major League seasons, all with the Atlanta Braves (2005-13). Since making his Major League debut in 2005, he leads all catchers in home runs and RBI and ranks second in doubles, trailing only Minnesota's Joe Mauer (274).

"The singular and unwavering desire of this organization is to construct a team each and every season designed to play meaningful baseball deep into October," said New York Yankees Managing General Partner and Co-Chairperson, Hal Steinbrenner. "In Brian McCann, we feel we have made a significant improvement to a key position, while adding a high-character presence to our clubhouse. Our work this offseason has just begun, but we feel this is an important step towards what will be an exciting and rewarding 2014 season for our fans."

A seven-time All-Star (2006-11, '13) and the 2010 All-Star Game MVP, McCann is one of just 11 Major Leaguers-and the only catcher-to hit at least 20 home runs in each of the last six seasons (2008-13).

In 2013, he batted .256 (91-for-356) with 43 runs, 13 doubles, 20 home runs and 57RBI in 102 games. McCann began the season on the 15-day disabled list recovering from right shoulder surgery performed on October 16, 2012, missing the Braves' first 30 games of the year. Overall, he posted a 2.98 catchers ERA in 2013, the lowest such mark in the Majors since the Dodgers' Paul Lo Duca in 2003 (2.73).